PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tuomas Uusierkki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vrando Vraganza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Uusierkki comes to the cage accompanied by Wild Boys by Duran Duran. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Vrando Vraganza enters the cage!

Uusierkki
vs
Vraganza

175 cm
41
163 lbs
14 - 22 - 1

180 cm
33
163 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tuomas Uusierkki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vrando Vraganza!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Daniel Cesar and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Uusierkki scores with a punch to the head.

Vraganza moves into the clinch.
Vraganza is working for takedown but Uusierkki is calmly controlling the position for now.
Uusierkki managing to block the knees to the body from Vraganza.
Uusierkki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Vraganza gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Vraganza is trying to push Uusierkki away but Uusierkki has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Uusierkki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Uusierkki scores with a nice head shot.

Vraganza rushes Uusierkki and presses him up against the cage.
Uusierkki working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Vraganza tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vraganza jumps guard and drags Uusierkki to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Uusierkki avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Uusierkki looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Uusierkki distracts Vraganza with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Uusierkki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Uusierkki trying to control the position from guard on top but Vraganza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Uusierkki tries to free his leg and advance position but Vraganza is retaining full guard.
Uusierkki trying to control but Vraganza is working from the bottom.

Vraganza throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Uusierkki is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Uusierkki sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Vraganza's guard.

Uusierkki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Vraganza looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vraganza actively working from the bottom here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Vraganza shoots and misses

and Uusierkki moves into the clinch.
Tuomas Uusierkki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vrando Vraganza.
Vraganza is looking to take this one to the mat.
Uusierkki avoids the elbow strike from Vraganza, against the cage.
Vraganza is trying to push Uusierkki away but Uusierkki has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Vraganza tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Vraganza has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Uusierkki keeps control of Vraganza as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Vraganza is stalling here.
A bit of stalling here from Uusierkki.
Uusierkki tries to throw a body punch but Vraganza avoids it by throwing Uusierkki back against the cage.
Vraganza has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Uusierkki after a bit of a struggle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Uusierkki tries for a takedown but Vraganza manages to get underhooks.
Uusierkki scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Uusierkki has Vraganza pressed against the cage, preventing Vraganza from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Uusierkki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Uusierkki tries to clinch up but Vraganza circles away and keeps his distance.
Uusierkki fails to land the takedown.
Vraganza swats away the attempt to clinch by Uusierkki.

Vraganza closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Uusierkki lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Uusierkki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Vraganza gets the underhooks and prevents it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Uusierkki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vraganza throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Uusierkki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tuomas Uusierkki dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Vraganza lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Uusierkki circles away quickly and effectively.
A nice combination there by Uusierkki.
Vraganza dives in for a single leg takedown but Uusierkki sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Vraganza tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Vraganza tries to stall but Uusierkki uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Vraganza jumps guard but Uusierkki turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tuomas Uusierkki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vrando Vraganza.
A short right from Uusierkki.
Uusierkki is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A short right from Uusierkki on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Uusierkki.

Uusierkki breaks from the clinch.
Vraganza closes the distance and clinches up with Uusierkki, looking for a takedown. Vraganza pushes Uusierkki against the cage but Uusierkki circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Uusierkki fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Vraganza to the ground. Uusierkki is now in Vraganza's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Vraganza escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Uusierkki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Uusierkki stands up and waves to Vraganza to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vraganza closes the distance and clinches.
Vraganza has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Vraganza tries to pull guard but Uusierkki holds him up against the cage and eventually Vraganza drops back down to his feet.
Uusierkki is looking to take this one to the mat.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Uusierkki creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Vraganza looking to slow down the pace here.
A short right from Uusierkki.
Vraganza is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Uusierkki is defending well for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vraganza stalling.
Uusierkki lands a hook that snaps the head of Vraganza backwards.
Vraganza jumps guard but Uusierkki stands there with Vraganza around his waist. Vraganza gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Uusierkki is trying to trip Vraganza. He has hold of a leg but Vraganza is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Uusierkki persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Vraganza is trying to keep Uusierkki in close.
Uusierkki seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Vraganza preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Uusierkki passes Vraganza's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Uusierkki winds up and cracks Vraganza with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Uusierkki throwing shots but Vraganza is blocking nicely.
Uusierkki lands with a punch from half guard.
Uusierkki winds up and cracks Vraganza with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tuomas Uusierkki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vraganza wants to control but Uusierkki is keeping busy.
Uusierkki landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Uusierkki is pressing down on Vraganza's thigh, looking to free his foot. Vraganza is holding on for now.

Uusierkki is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Vraganza is just riding it out for now. Uusierkki eventually gives up the hold.
Uusierkki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Vraganza keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tuomas Uusierkki dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Uusierkki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vraganza as he avoids it easily.

Uusierkki bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Uusierkki throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Vraganza pushes Uusierkki away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Uusierkki gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Uusierkki goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Vraganza has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Uusierkki but great work by Vraganza.
Uusierkki defending against the ground and pound.
Uusierkki is trying to get back to half guard.

Vraganza is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Uusierkki has escaped the position, nice work there.
Uusierkki is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vraganza can do to turn this around?

Vraganza goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Uusierkki rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Vraganza's guard! Nice work there by Uusierkki!
Uusierkki has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vraganza is looking for a triangle but Uusierkki pushes his legs off easily.
Uusierkki wants to control from the top but Vraganza keeps moving.

Uusierkki drops back looking for a leg! Vraganza is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Vraganza manages to kick Uusierkki off! Uusierkki jumps back into Vraganza's guard.

Vraganza throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tuomas Uusierkki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Uusierkki controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Uusierkki wants to control from the top but Vraganza keeps moving.
Vraganza can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Uusierkki controls the pace.
Uusierkki seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Vraganza for as long as he can get away with.

Uusierkki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Vraganza has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Uusierkki has managed to get both his arms back between Vraganza's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Uusierkki controlling from the top position.
Vrando Vraganza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Uusierkki wants to control from the top but Vraganza keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A punch combination from Vraganza misses.

Uusierkki dives in and scores a takedown into Vraganza's guard.
Uusierkki lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vraganza is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Uusierkki defends well.

Uusierkki is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Uusierkki sitting in guard here, content to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Tuomas Uusierkki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Uusierkki has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tuomas Uusierkki!
Tuomas Uusierkki made sure to mention his sponsor, Hellbent in his post fight interview.